PDGN Vice-President and Moroccan MP, Dr Mostafa Brahimi reports on his advocacy success with the draft finance law 2023.
“After the introduction of the tax on sugary drinks in 2018 and 2019, and thanks to my repetitive interventions and amendments to the 2019, 2020 and 2021 finance laws, we organized a study day between parliament, government, agri-food industry and nutritionists and diabetes scientists, through which the Moroccan government was convinced of the benefits of taxing ICT consumption.
Sweet products such as biscuits, chocolates, milk products and jam will be taxed gradually over 3 years; 2023, 2024 and 2025 and used to reduce the scourge of obesity to help prevent diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer and other conditions.
“This is the result of a long advocacy campaign over 5 years with a multidisciplinary team of Parliamentarians, medical professionals, patients, industry and others, and we are very happy at what we have now achieved,” Says Dr Brahimi MP.
Advocacy Action: Have you ever tried to alter a budgetary measure, to allocate more resources to prevention, diagnosis or treatment of diabetes? Persistence pays off, so have you considered laying down a marker early for what you want to achieve?
CAPTION: PDGN Vice-President and Moroccan MP, Dr Mostafa Brahimi, moving the amendment to the finance law in the Moroccan Parliament. The text is the result of 5 years campaigning.